In southwest Michigan, 89 general licenses remain for the April 18-24 hunt, 1,017 for the April 25-May 1 hunt, and 2,017 for the May 2-31 hunt. More than 50,000 are available for private land only from April 18 through May 1.

In 2010, Michigan hunters harvested about 37,000 turkeys, making it one of the top 10 turkey hunting states in the country.

Catfish hearing

Indiana has proposed rules changes governing the taking of catfish to help protect the gamefish.

The proposed changes are in response to public concerns regarding increasing harvest pressure on catfish, recently completed catfish research in the Wabash River, and ongoing, cooperative fish management discussions with other Ohio River states. Currently, there is no limit to the number of large catfish that can be taken by sport and commercial fishing license holders, both in inland waters and in the Ohio River.

The proposal for both sport and commercial fishing on rivers and streams (except the Ohio River), is to increase the existing 10-inch minimum size limit on channel catfish, flathead catfish and blue catfish to 15 inches.

The proposal for both sport and commercial fishing that includes lakes, rivers, and streams statewide (including the Ohio River) is to allow only one each of the following catfish to be taken per day: a channel that is 28 inches or more in total length; a flathead that is 35 inches or more in total length; and a blue that is 35 inches or more in total length. An individual would be able to take one 28-inch channel catfish, a 35-inch flathead catfish, and a 35-inch blue catfish in one day.

Anglers can provide comments on these proposed changes March 22, at 1:30 p.m. at the Government Center North in Indianapolis or submit them in writing to the Natural Resources Commission at www.IN.gov/nrc/2377. Click on “Comment on Proposed Rule,” next to the catfish amendments. The deadline for comments is March 28.

Hunter safety courses

Certified Hunter Education Classes will be held in Dowagiac and Bremen this month.

Registration begins Wednesday at the Dowagiac Conservation Club for the course slated March 17-19 at the club facility.

Students must present a birth certificate at registration which runs 6 to 7 p.m. at the club.

Classes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. March 17-18 and 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 19. For information, call Furmer, 269-646-9839.

Northern Indiana Quail Unlimited also will host a Hunter Education Class taught by Indiana Certified Instructors at Bremen United Youth Center March 19-20.

Class hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 19 and 1-5 p.m. March 20. There is no charge for the course.

Participants must attend both sessions and pass a test to receive their Indiana Hunter Education Certificate and patch. To register, call Bill Sheley 574-546-3907.

River tourneys

The “River Wednesdays” Tournament Series will be held throughout the summer on the St. Joseph River.

There will be two divisions. One will include 10 events that rotate at Memorial Park, Maggie’s Landing and Merrifield Park, beginning May 4. Another that is an “All Maggie’s” series, kicks off April 27.

Each event starts at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $30 per team plus a one-time fee of $10 per person. A Classic will be held at the end of the year. For information and complete schedule, contact Curtiss Warner, 574-276-8224.

MARCO bass circuit

The MARCO Bass Masters Tournament Series will begin April 9 with the Indiana Heat Transfer Manitou Rumble.

In addition to big bass cash prizes offered at each event, The Travel Tender in Goshen will provide $40 gift certificates per tournament and $80 certificates for the big bass of the season. Other awards include $40 gift certificates from Rochester Outdoor Outfitters for the first team out of the money and Crown Trophy will provide a cash award to the highest placing rookie team of the season. The top 10 teams with the most accumulated points will split a point fund that was worth more than $1,200 last year.

The Starboard Choice Marine Polar Bear Tournament that was postponed due to weather has been rescheduled for next Sunday. Tournament times for the steelhead-only contest are 7 a.m. to noon. Weigh-in will be held at 1 p.m. in Central Park. Contest waters are the St. Joseph River only between Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka and the railroad bridge in St. Joseph, Mich. All river tributaries are off limits. Entry fee is $10 with an optional $5 big fish pot. Anglers can sign up Starboard Choice Marine until Friday at 4 p.m. Call (574) 257-7827 for details.